Portable information terminal holding device

Abstract

To improve the usability of a held portable information terminal by reducing manufacturing cost, reducing troubles and required time in setting the portable information terminal and improving installation stability when the portable information terminal is used.SOLUTION: A portable information terminal holding device 1 includes a back plate 2, side plates 3, 4 and a top plate 5, the side plates 3, 4 and the top plate 5 are attached to the back plate 2 in a freely foldable way, lower edge parts of the side plates 3, 4 project downward with respect to a lower edge part of the back plate 2, a front edge face in each of the side plates 3, 4 is inclined backward, inner side faces on a side of sandwiching a portable information terminal Tb in the respective side plates 3, 4 are provided with groove parts 3b, 4b into which side edge parts of the portable information terminal Tb are inserted, the groove parts 3b, 4b extend from upper edge parts of the respective side plates 3, 4 to the lower edge parts, and are arranged in parallel with the front edge faces of the respective side plates 3, 4, and in lower edge parts of the groove parts 3b, 4b, their height positions are located higher than the lower edge faces of the side plates 3, 4.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a mobile information terminal holding device for holding a mobile information terminal such as a smartphone or a tablet terminal. [Background technology]

[0002] Nowadays, mobile information terminals such as smartphones and tablet terminals are used, for example, as reception terminals in hospitals, as reception terminals at event venues, and as referee terminals in outdoor sports (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Furthermore, when the display screen of a portable information terminal is exposed to illumination or sunlight, the reflected light makes it difficult to see the information displayed on the display screen. In addition, since portable information terminals are precision machines, if they are exposed to high temperatures, for example, in direct sunlight in the summer, their operation may become unstable due to thermal runaway. For this reason, sunshades and other devices that prevent light from entering portable information terminals are being developed (see, for example, Patent Document 2). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 7278669 [Patent Document 2] Utility model registration No. 3241860 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Conventional sunshades cannot hold a mobile information terminal by themselves. Therefore, a holder for holding the mobile information terminal must be prepared separately, which causes a problem of additional costs. If the holder is not used in order to reduce costs, the mobile information terminal must be placed horizontally inside the sunshade placed on a stand, for example, which makes it difficult to see the display screen and is inconvenient to use. Alternatively, a stand can be placed inside the sunshade placed on a stand and the mobile information terminal can be propped up against the stand, but in that case, a separate stand must be prepared, which makes it impossible to reduce costs. Furthermore, at outdoor event venues or sporting venues, if a mobile information terminal is placed horizontally inside a sunshade, or if the mobile information terminal is propped up on a stand placed inside the sunshade, it is quite possible that the sunshade will move if exposed to strong winds. If the sunshade moves, the mobile information terminal placed inside will also move, so there is a need to develop technology that can improve the stability of the installation of mobile information terminals. In addition, with conventional sunshades, even when a portable information terminal is held in a separately prepared holder, the sunshade must first be attached to the holder and then the portable information terminal must be set up, which takes a certain amount of time. If the portable information terminal is used as a reception terminal or a referee terminal at an outdoor event venue or sports venue, if it takes time to set up the portable information terminal, it is quite conceivable that the progress of the event or tournament itself will be affected. Therefore, there is a demand for the development of technology that allows the portable information terminal to be set up as quickly as possible.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned circumstances, and aims to reduce manufacturing costs, reduce the effort and time required to set up a portable information terminal, improve the installation stability when the portable information terminal is in use, and further improve the usability of the portable information terminal being held. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The invention described in claim 1 is a portable information terminal holding device for holding a portable information terminal, The back panel and a pair of side panels that are foldably attached to the side ends of the back panel and are spaced apart from each other so that the mobile information terminal can be sandwiched between them from the left and right, with lower end surfaces functioning as a ground surface; A top plate that is foldably attached to an upper end of the back plate and connects the upper ends of the pair of side plates to each other; It is equipped with The lower ends of the pair of side plates protrude downward beyond the lower end of the back plate, a lower end front corner formed by a lower end surface and a front end surface of each of the pair of side plates is formed at an acute angle in a side view, and the front end surface is inclined rearward, a groove into which a side end of the portable information terminal is inserted is provided on an inner surface of each of the pair of side plates on a side where the portable information terminal is sandwiched; the groove portion extends from an upper end portion to a lower end portion of each of the pair of side plates and is disposed parallel to a front end surface of each of the pair of side plates; The lower end of the groove is characterized in that its height position is located higher than the lower end surfaces of the pair of side plates.

[0007] The invention described in claim 2 is the portable information terminal holding device described in claim 1, a front end surface and a rear end surface of each of the pair of side plates are arranged in parallel, and the pair of side plates are inclined rearward; The present invention is characterized in that it further comprises a support plate which is foldably attached to the lower end of the rear surface of the back panel, the lower end surface of which functions as a ground surface together with the lower end surfaces of the pair of side panels.

[0008] The invention described in claim 3 is the portable information terminal holding device described in claim 1 or 2, The top plate has fixed portions provided on the lower surface thereof to which upper ends of the pair of side plates are respectively fixed. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce manufacturing costs, reduce the effort and time required to set up a portable information terminal, and further improve the installation stability when the portable information terminal is in use, thereby improving the usability of the portable information terminal being held. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the portable information terminal holding device from the upper right. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the portable information terminal holding device, seen from the upper left. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a side view showing the portable information terminal holding device. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a front view showing the portable information terminal holding device. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a front view showing the portable information terminal holding device in a folded state. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a rear view showing the portable information terminal holding device in a folded state. [Figure 7] FIG. 13 is a side view showing a modified example of the groove portion. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is a side view showing a modified example of the groove portion. [Figure 9] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional plan view showing a modified example of the groove portion. [Figure 10] FIG. 13 is a front perspective view, seen from the right, showing a modified example of the portable information terminal holding device. [Figure 11] 11 is a front view showing the portable information terminal holding device of FIG. 10 in a folded state. FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 13 is a side view showing a modified example of the portable information terminal holding device. [Figure 13] 13A and 13B are plan views showing modified examples of the folding configuration of the pair of side panels. [Figure 14] 13A and 13B are plan views showing modified examples of the folding configuration of the pair of side panels. [Figure 15] FIG. 13 is a side view showing a modified example of the folding configuration of the top plate. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a rear view showing the top plate and the back plate of FIG. 15. [Figure 17] FIG. 16 is a side view showing the upper end of the back plate of FIG. 15. [Figure 18] 16 is a side view showing a connecting portion that connects the top plate and the back plate in FIG. 15. FIG. [Figure 19] FIG. 13 is a side view showing a modified example of the folding configuration of the top plate. [Figure 20] 13A and 13B are plan views showing modified examples of the folding configuration of the pair of side panels. [Figure 21] FIG. 11 is a rear view showing a modified example of the support plate. [Figure 22] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional plan view showing a modified example of the support plate. [Figure 23] FIG. 13 is a rear perspective view from above showing a modified example of the support plate. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Hereinafter, the embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the embodiments described below are subject to various technically preferable limitations for carrying out the present invention, but the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments and illustrated examples.

[0012] <1. About mobile information terminals> 1, the reference symbol Tb denotes a portable information terminal. The portable information terminal Tb in this embodiment is a so-called tablet terminal. In other words, the portable information terminal Tb is a portable computer system. Such a portable information terminal Tb is configured by housing a computer, an input device, a display device, an imaging device, a memory device, a communication module, and the like in a thin rectangular (rectangular) housing. In addition, an input device, which is a touch panel, is overlaid on the display device, and the input device and the display device are disposed facing the transparent surface on the front side of the housing, and an imaging device is disposed facing the transparent surface on the rear side of the housing. Note that the transparent surface on the front side occupies most of the front side of the housing, and the transparent surface on the rear side is a part of the rear side of the housing. Furthermore, the mobile information terminal Tb has a connection port to which a terminal of a cable C used for charging, wired connection to the Internet, etc. is connected. The connection port is provided at the edge of the mobile information terminal Tb. Therefore, when the terminal of the cable C is inserted into the connection port, it is disposed in a state where it protrudes from the edge of the mobile information terminal Tb.

[0013] The user faces the front side of the tablet terminal Tb to check the information displayed on the display screen (display device) and perform the necessary operations via the input device. If the tablet terminal Tb is tilted too much, the information displayed on the display screen may become difficult to see, so it is desirable for the user's face to be as directly facing the surface of the tablet terminal Tb as possible. In this embodiment, a tablet terminal Tb is adopted as the portable information terminal Tb, but this is not limited to this and a smartphone, a pen tablet, an e-book terminal, an electronic dictionary terminal, a game console terminal, a portable music player, a controller for heavy machinery or a robot, etc. may also be adopted.

[0014] The mobile information terminal Tb, which is a tablet terminal, is suitable for use in outdoor sports that take place in places without fixed buildings, such as surfing competitions and marathons, and outdoor events that also take place in places without fixed buildings. For example, in a surfing competition, the venue is the sea, and competitors are judged from the land side, such as on the beach. In the case of a surfing competition, in addition to multiple judges who judge the competitors, multiple judges who judge the priority of the attempts are required. In many cases, each judge uses a mobile information terminal Tb to judge each. Usually, tents are set up and judges perform their judging inside, but the event is often held under the scorching sun, and the light shining into the tent can make it difficult to see the information displayed on the display screen of the mobile information terminal Tb. Furthermore, the judging information is highly confidential in surfing competitions, and it is desirable to prevent others from seeing it as much as possible. Therefore, the mobile information terminal Tb is held and used in a state where light is unlikely to hit the display screen and where highly confidential information can be easily concealed by the mobile information terminal holding device 1. The mobile information terminal holding device 1 is placed on a stand such as a table, and the judge uses the mobile information terminal Tb while sitting in a chair.

[0015] <2. Overview of the portable information terminal holding device> As shown in FIGS. 1 to 6, the mobile information terminal holding device 1 is a foldable box-shaped body, and includes a back plate 2, a pair of side plates 3 and 4, a top plate 5, and a support plate 6. As shown in FIG. Each of the boards 2-6 in this embodiment is made of a lightweight wooden board material such as paulownia, cedar, or cypress, but the material is not limited to wood and may be made of a resin board material such as an acrylic board or a metal board such as aluminum, or may be made of board materials of different materials for each part. Furthermore, each of the boards 2-6 in this embodiment is set to have the same thickness, but the thickness may be different for each part. Furthermore, each of the boards 2-6 in this embodiment is made of a solid wooden board material, but may be made of a wooden board material (hollow panel) formed with a hollow inside. Moreover, the mobile information terminal holding device 1 does not have a bottom plate, and the front side is open when in use and holding the mobile information terminal Tb.

[0016] Furthermore, the mobile information terminal holding device 1 is not an assembly type in which the plates 2-6 are separate and need to be assembled when used, but rather has a configuration in which the plates 3-6 do not separate from the back plate 2 and can be folded around the back plate 2. To achieve this configuration, the back plate 2 and the plates 3-6 other than the back plate 2 are connected via hinges H (also called hinges or hinges) which are rotational connection means. The hinge H is made of metal and has a first piece fixed to the back panel 2, a second piece fixed to each of the panels 3 to 6 other than the back panel 2, and a shaft that rotatably connects the first piece and the second piece. The first piece and the second piece are fastened to each of the panels 2 to 6 with screws.

[0017] <3.About the back panel> The back panel 2 is a rectangular plate material, and in this embodiment, is formed to be longer in the vertical direction than in the horizontal direction. That is, the back panel 2 is vertically long, and the mobile information terminal Tb is also used in a vertical orientation. Moreover, the vertical and horizontal dimensions of the front surface of the back panel 2 are set to be longer than the vertical and horizontal dimensions of the portable information terminal Tb.

[0018] In addition, since the back panel 2 is located on the back side of the mobile information terminal Tb, there is no need to hide the information displayed on the display screen. Therefore, the back panel 2 may have a large number of through holes for exhausting heat, or an exhaust fan may be attached to it. Alternatively, a lattice such as a lattice or louver may be used as the back panel 2.

[0019] <4. About the pair of side panels> The pair of side plates 3, 4 includes a first side plate 3 located on the left side and a second side plate 4 located on the right side. The first side plate 3 and the second side plate 4 are formed symmetrically. The first side plate 3 and the second side plate 4 are arranged with a gap between them in the left-right direction, so that the mobile information terminal Tb can be sandwiched between the first side plate 3 and the second side plate 4 on the left and right.

[0020] The pair of side panels 3, 4 are attached to the back panel 2 in a foldable state. That is, the first side panel 3 and the second side panel 4 are connected to the side ends of the back panel 2 by hinges H in a state in which they can rotate freely in the left-right direction. More specifically, the rear end of the first side panel 3 is foldably attached to the left end of the back panel 2 by a hinge H. The rear end of the second side panel 4 is foldably attached to the right end of the back panel 2 by a hinge H. The left end of the back panel 2 protrudes to the left beyond the left side surface of the first side panel 3, and the hinge H is positioned in the recessed corner formed by the left end of the back panel 2 and the left side surface of the first side panel 3, so as to freely rotate between the left end of the back panel 2 and the rear end of the first side panel 3. The right end of the back panel 2 protrudes to the right beyond the right side surface of the second side panel 4. However, the hinge H is disposed in the recessed corner formed by the right end of the back panel 2 and the left side surface of the second side panel 4, and rotatably connects the right end of the back panel 2 and the rear end of the second side panel 4.

[0021] The lower end surfaces of the pair of side plates 3, 4 function as a contact surface. In other words, when the mobile information terminal holding device 1 is placed on a stand, the lower end surfaces of the pair of side plates 3, 4 come into contact with the upper surface of the stand. In short, the pair of side plates 3, 4 function as legs of the mobile information terminal holding device 1. Note that a non-slip material such as rubber may be attached to the lower end surfaces of the pair of side plates 3, 4. The lower ends of the pair of side plates 3, 4 protrude downward from the lower end of the back plate 2. In other words, the height position of the lower end surface of the back plate 2 is higher than the lower end surfaces of the pair of side plates 3, 4, and a gap is formed between the back plate 2 and the upper surface of the base.

[0022] The pair of side plates 3, 4 have a front corner at the lower end formed by the lower end surface and the front end surface that is formed at an acute angle in side view, and the front end surface is inclined rearward. Furthermore, a rear corner at the lower end formed by the lower end surface and the rear end surface is formed at an obtuse angle in side view. The front end surface and the rear end surface of the pair of side plates 3, 4 are arranged parallel to each other. Furthermore, the front and rear corners at the upper ends of the pair of side plates 3, 4 are right angles in side view. The portable information terminal holding device 1 having the pair of side plates 3, 4 formed in this manner as legs is in a state of being tilted backward. In this embodiment, the pair of side plates 3, 4 are inclined at 15 degrees from the vertical direction. That is, the angle between the front end surface and the rear end surface of the first side plate 3 and the second side plate 4 is 75 degrees. In other words, the first side plate 3 and the second side plate 4 are formed by cutting the lower end portions at an angle of 15 degrees. The angle at which the lower ends of the pair of side panels 3, 4 are cut is set to 10 to 20 degrees, taking into consideration that the mobile information terminal holding device 1 is placed on the top surface of a stand and the user operates the mobile information terminal Tb while sitting in a chair.

[0023] The pair of side plates 3, 4 are provided with protrusions 3a, 4a at their upper ends. The protrusions 3a, 4a are also called "recesses" and are formed by cutting out the upper ends of the first side plate 3 and the second side plate 4. The upper ends of the pair of side plates 3, 4 are formed in a stepped shape by providing protrusions 3a, 4a, and the upper end surfaces adjacent to the protrusions 3a, 4a contact the lower surface of the top plate 5. Such upper end surfaces adjacent to the protrusions 3a, 4a are also called "body parts."

[0024] The right side surface of the first side plate 3 and the left side surface of the second side plate 4 are provided with grooves 3b, 4b, respectively, into which the side end portion of the portable information terminal Tb is inserted. In this embodiment, the grooves 3b and 4b are processed grooves. That is, the right side surface of the first side plate 3 and the left side surface of the second side plate 4 are formed by grooving the right side surface of the first side plate 3 and the left side surface of the second side plate 4 with a power tool such as a router. The grooves 3b and 4b are formed so as not to penetrate the first side plate 3 and the second side plate 4 in the left-right direction, and have groove bottom surfaces (the inner side surfaces of the grooves 3b and 4b in the groove depth direction). Therefore, when the mobile information terminal Tb is sandwiched between the first side plate 3 and the second side plate 4, the side end of the mobile information terminal Tb contacts the groove bottom surfaces of the grooves 3b and 4b.

[0025] Such grooves 3b, 4b extend from the upper end to the lower end of each of the pair of side plates 3, 4, and are disposed parallel to the front end surfaces of each of the pair of side plates 3, 4. The upper ends of the grooves 3b, 4b are open to the upper end faces (body ends) of the pair of side plates 3, 4. Therefore, the mobile information terminal Tb can be inserted into the grooves 3b, 4b from above the pair of side plates 3, 4 and slid along the grooves 3b, 4b. Furthermore, the lower ends of the grooves 3b and 4b are located at a height position higher than the lower end faces of the pair of side plates 3 and 4, and are closed downward. That is, when the mobile information terminal Tb is sandwiched between the first side plate 3 and the second side plate 4, the lower ends of the left and right side ends of the mobile information terminal Tb come into contact with the lower ends of the grooves 3b and 4b, and the mobile information terminal Tb can be held so as not to drop below the lower ends of the grooves 3b and 4b. That is, the mobile information terminal Tb can be held in a state spaced apart from the upper surface of the stand. Therefore, even if the above-mentioned connection port of the mobile information terminal Tb is arranged facing downward, the terminal of the cable C can be inserted into this connection port to connect it. The cable C can be passed through the gap between the lower end of the back plate 2 and the upper surface of the stand, as shown in FIG. 2.

[0026] In addition, since the pair of side plates 3, 4 are located on the sides of the mobile information terminal Tb, it is necessary to conceal the information displayed on the display screen. Therefore, the grooves 3b, 4b are not simply arranged parallel to the front end faces of each of the pair of side plates 3, 4, but are formed to be located in the middle between the front end face and the rear end face of each of the pair of side plates 3, 4. This allows the mobile information terminal Tb to be located at a position somewhat deeper than the front end faces of each of the pair of side plates 3, 4, making it easier to conceal the information displayed on the display screen of the mobile information terminal Tb by the pair of side plates 3, 4.

[0027] <5.About the top plate> The top plate 5 is a plate member that connects the upper ends of the pair of side plates 3, 4 together. The tabletop 5 of this embodiment is a rectangular plate material, and is formed to be longer in the left-right direction than in the front-rear direction. The length of the tabletop 5 in the front-rear direction is set to be approximately equal to the length of the upper ends of the pair of side plates 3, 4 in the front-rear direction. In addition, the length of the tabletop 5 in the left-right direction is set to be approximately equal to the length of the back plate 2 in the left-right direction.

[0028] The top plate 5 is attached to the back plate 2 in a foldable state. That is, the rear end of the top plate 5 is connected to the upper end of the back plate 2 by a hinge H in a state in which the top plate 5 is rotatable in the up-down direction (front-rear direction). In addition, the upper end of the back panel 2 protrudes above the upper surface of the top panel 5, and the hinge H is positioned in the corner formed by the upper end of the back panel 2 and the upper surface of the top panel 5, so as to freely rotate between the upper end of the back panel 2 and the rear end of the top panel 5.

[0029] The top plate 5 has fixed portions 5a and 5b provided on the lower surface of the top plate 5, to which the upper ends of the pair of side plates 3 and 4 are fixed, respectively. More specifically, the top plate 5 of this embodiment has a pair of fitting grooves 5a, 5b into which the protruding portions 3a, 4a provided on the upper ends of the pair of side plates 3, 4 are fitted. The pair of fitting grooves 5a, 5b consists of a first fitting groove 5a located at the left end and a second fitting groove 5b located at the right end on the lower surface of the top plate 5. The pair of fitting grooves 5a, 5b are formed extending in the front-rear direction on the lower surface of the top plate 5. When the upper ends of the pair of side plates 3, 4 are connected to each other by the top plate 5, the protrusion 3a provided on the upper end of the first side plate 3 is fitted into the first fitting groove 5a, and the upper end surface (with a body) of the first side plate 3 contacts the lower surface of the top plate 5. Moreover, the protrusion 4a provided on the upper end of the second side plate 4 is fitted into the second fitting groove 5b, and the upper end surface (with a body) of the second side plate 4 contacts the lower surface of the top plate 5.

[0030] The groove width of the pair of fitting grooves 5a, 5b is set to be approximately equal to the width of the protrusions 3a, 4a provided at the upper ends of the pair of side plates 3, 4. As a result, when the left and right protrusions 3a, 4a provided at the upper ends of the pair of side plates 3, 4 are fitted into the pair of fitting grooves 5a, 5b provided on the underside of the top plate 5, the protrusions 3a, 4a are fitted snugly into the fitting grooves 5a, 5b. In addition, the pair of side plates 3, 4 and the top plate 5 are made of wood. Therefore, friction occurs when the protrusions 3a, 4a are pulled out of the fitting grooves 5a, 5b or when they are fitted into the fitting grooves 5a, 5b. This allows the top plate 5 to firmly connect the upper ends of the pair of side plates 3, 4 to each other.

[0031] <6. About the support plate> The support plate 6 is a support for preventing the mobile information terminal holding device 1, which is tilted backward, from falling backward, and is formed in a trapezoidal shape as shown in Fig. 3, with its lower end surface functioning as a contact surface together with the lower end surfaces of the pair of side plates 3 and 4. The support plate 6 is set at a height not exceeding the center in the height direction of the back plate 2. The front end surface of such a support plate 6 is inclined at an angle equal to that of the back plate 2, in order to contact the rear surface of the back plate 2.

[0032] The support plate 6 is foldably attached to the lower end of the rear surface of the back panel 2. That is, the front end of the support plate 6 is connected to the lower end of the rear surface of the back panel 2 in a state in which it can rotate freely in the left-right direction by the hinge H. More specifically, the hinge H is disposed in the recessed corner formed by the lower end of the rear surface of the back panel 2 and the left side surface of the support plate 6, and connects the lower end of the rear surface of the back panel 2 and the front end of the support plate 6 in a freely rotatable manner.

[0033] In this embodiment, the support plate 6 is positioned approximately in the left-right center of the back plate 2 as shown in FIG. 4, but strictly speaking, it is positioned slightly to the right of the left-right center of the back plate 2 (it can also be positioned on the left). When a user operates an input device of a mobile information terminal Tb held by the mobile information terminal holding device 1 with his / her right or left hand, a force is often applied to the input device from an oblique direction. Therefore, by disposing the support plate 6 slightly shifted to the side in this way, it becomes easier to resist the force from the oblique direction, and the installation stability of the mobile information terminal holding device 1 can be improved when the mobile information terminal Tb is in use. The lower end surface of the support plate 6 may be provided with an anti-slip material such as rubber.

[0034] <7. About the folded state> The portable information terminal holding device 1 is required to be portable and to be able to hold the portable information terminal Tb immediately when the user is away from the office. Therefore, it is essential that each part (each plate 2 to 6) constituting the portable information terminal holding device 1 can be folded around the back plate 2 without being separated even partially, as shown in Figs. 5 and 6.

[0035] First, the first side panel 3 has a hinge H disposed in a recessed corner formed by the left side surface of the first side panel 3 and the left end of the back panel 2, and the left end of the back panel 2 and the rear end of the first side panel 3 are rotatably connected by the hinge H. Therefore, in the folded state, the first side panel 3 is folded by rotating to the left. Further, the second side panel 4 has a hinge H disposed in a recessed corner formed by the left side surface of the second side panel 4 and the right end of the back panel 2, and the right end of the back panel 2 and the rear end of the second side panel 4 are rotatably connected by the hinge H. Therefore, in the folded state, the second side panel 4 is folded by rotating to the left. That is, in the mobile information terminal holding device 1 of this embodiment, the pair of side plates 3 and 4 are folded in the same direction.

[0036] Next, a hinge H is disposed in the corner formed by the upper surface of the top plate 5 and the upper end of the back plate 2, and the upper end of the back plate 2 and the rear end of the top plate 5 are rotatably connected by the hinge H. Therefore, in the folded state, the top plate 5 is rotated upward and folded.

[0037] Next, a hinge H is disposed in the recessed corner formed by the left side surface of the support plate 6 and the lower end of the rear surface of the back plate 2, and the lower end of the rear surface of the back plate 2 and the front end of the support plate 6 are rotatably connected by the hinge H. Therefore, in the folded state, the support plate 6 is folded by rotating to the left.

[0038] The portable information terminal holding device 1 can be made thinner in the front-rear direction than when in use by folding the plates 3 to 6 as described above. This makes it easier to carry, so that the portable information terminal Tb can be set and held immediately at the destination (location) where it is carried. Specifically, the pair of side plates 3, 4 are rotated to the right from the folded state so as to be perpendicular to the back plate 2, and the support plate 6 is also rotated to the right so as to be perpendicular to the back plate 2. Thereafter, the portable information terminal Tb is inserted into the grooves 3b, 4b of the pair of side plates 3, 4. Then, the top plate 5 is rotated so as to cover the pair of side plates 3, 4, so that the protrusions 3a, 4a of the pair of side plates 3, 4 are fitted into the pair of fitting grooves 5a, 5b of the top plate 5. Through these steps, the portable information terminal Tb can be held.

[0039] The procedure for holding the portable information terminal Tb is not limited to this. For example, one side plate 3 (4) is laid on the top surface of the stand, the side end of the portable information terminal Tb is inserted into the groove 3b of the side plate 3, and then the other side plate 4 is placed over the stand so that the groove 4b of the side plate 4 and the side end of the portable information terminal Tb are aligned, and then the top plate 5 is rotated so that the protrusions 3a and 4a of the pair of side plates 3 and 4 are fitted into the pair of fitting grooves 5a and 5b of the top plate 5. Even after going through such a process, the portable information terminal Tb can be held.

[0040] <8. Advantageous Effects> According to this embodiment, the following excellent effects are obtained. That is, since the upper ends of the pair of side plates 3, 4 are connected by the top plate 5, the pair of side plates 3, 4 are less likely to move, and the mobile information terminal Tb can be sandwiched and held by the pair of side plates 3, 4 from the left and right. This eliminates the need to prepare other equipment such as a holder for holding the mobile information terminal Tb, and thus reduces the cost of manufacturing the mobile information terminal holding device 1. Furthermore, since the portable information terminal Tb can be held by the portable information terminal holding device 1 without using other devices such as a holder or a stand, the weight of the portable information terminal Tb itself is added to the portable information terminal holding device 1. This makes it difficult for the portable information terminal holding device 1 to move even when exposed to wind outdoors, improving the installation stability of the portable information terminal holding device 1 when the portable information terminal Tb is in use. Moreover, the lower ends of the grooves 3b, 4b extending from the upper end to the lower end of each of the pair of side plates 3, 4 are located at a height position higher than the lower end faces of the pair of side plates 3, 4, so that when the portable information terminal Tb is sandwiched between the pair of side plates 3, 4 from the left and right, the lower ends of the left and right side ends of the portable information terminal Tb come into contact with the lower ends of the grooves 3b, 4b. This makes it possible to hold the portable information terminal Tb so that it does not drop below the lower ends of the grooves 3b, 4b. Therefore, since the portable information terminal Tb is held at a position higher than the upper surface of the stand, it is possible to use the portable information terminal Tb while connecting a cable C for charging or communication, for example, which is convenient to use. Furthermore, since the portable information terminal Tb is held in a location surrounded by the pair of side panels 3, 4 and the top panel 5, the pair of side panels 3, 4 and the top panel 5 make it easier to prevent light from entering the inside of the portable information terminal holding device 1. This makes it easier to prevent reflected light from making the display screen of the portable information terminal Tb difficult to see, and also makes it harder for problems caused by heat, such as thermal runaway due to direct sunlight, to occur. In addition, grooves 3b, 4b into which the side end of the portable information terminal Tb is inserted are provided on the inner surface of each of the pair of side plates 3, 4 on the side where the portable information terminal Tb is sandwiched, and these grooves 3b, 4b are arranged parallel to the front end surface of each of the pair of side plates 3, 4, which is inclined backward, so that the portable information terminal Tb can be held in a state inclined backward. Therefore, the display screen is much easier to see and is more convenient to use than when the display screen is viewed by holding the portable information terminal Tb horizontally, for example. In particular, in a situation where the portable information terminal Tb must be operated while watching the trials at a surfing competition, it is much more convenient to use than when the portable information terminal Tb is placed horizontally on the top surface of a stand. Moreover, since the pair of side panels 3, 4 are foldably attached to the side ends of the back panel 2 and the top panel 5 is foldably attached to the upper end of the back panel 2, the pair of side panels 3, 4 and the top panel 5 can be folded around the back panel 2 without being separated from the back panel 2, and can be unfolded around the back panel 2. This allows the portable information terminal Tb to be set up quickly when held by the portable information terminal holding device 1, and can also be put away quickly. This reduces the effort and time required to set up the portable information terminal Tb.

[0041] Furthermore, the front and rear end faces of each of the pair of side panels 3, 4 are arranged parallel to one another and the pair of side panels 3, 4 are inclined backwards. Therefore, when the mobile information terminal holding device 1 is placed on the top surface of a stand and the user operates the mobile information terminal Tb while sitting on a chair, it is easy to face the display screen of the mobile information terminal Tb to the user, which contributes to improved usability. Furthermore, the mobile information terminal holding device 1 further includes a support plate 6 whose lower end surface functions as a ground surface together with the lower end surfaces of the pair of side plates 3 and 4, so that the mobile information terminal holding device 1, which is tilted backward, can be prevented from falling backward. Therefore, the installation stability of the mobile information terminal holding device 1 when the mobile information terminal Tb is used can be improved. Moreover, since the support plate 6 is foldably attached to the lower end of the rear surface of the back plate 2, it can be folded around the back plate 2 without being separated from the back plate 2, and can be unfolded around the back plate 2. This allows the portable information terminal Tb to be set up quickly when held by the portable information terminal holding device 1, and also allows the portable information terminal Tb to be put away quickly. This reduces the effort and time required to set up the portable information terminal Tb.

[0042] The top plate 5 has a pair of fitting grooves 5a, 5b on the lower surface of the top plate 5 as fixed portions to which the upper ends of the pair of side plates 3, 4 are respectively fixed, so that the upper ends of the pair of side plates 3, 4 can be firmly connected to each other by the top plate 5 by fitting the upper ends (protruding portions 3a, 4a) of the pair of side plates 3, 4 into the pair of fitting grooves 5a, 5b, respectively. This makes it possible to prevent, for example, the pair of side plates 3, 4 from being folded up unexpectedly, thereby improving the installation stability of the mobile information terminal holding device 1 when the mobile information terminal Tb is used. In addition, the holding performance of the pair of side plates 3, 4 for the mobile information terminal Tb is also improved.

[0043] <9. Variations> The embodiments to which the present invention can be applied are not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Modifications are described below. The following modifications may be combined as much as possible. In each of the following modifications, elements common to the above-described embodiments are given common reference numerals or easily recognizable reference numerals, and descriptions thereof are omitted or simplified.

[0044] [Variation 1] In the above embodiment, one groove portion 3b is formed on each side plate 3, but in this modified example, as shown in FIG. 7, groove portion 3b and auxiliary groove portion 3c arranged parallel to groove portion 3b are formed on side plate 3. That is, the side plate 3 is formed with a plurality of parallel grooves 3b and 3c. The auxiliary groove portion 3c is a processed groove similar to the groove portion 3b, and is disposed forward of the groove portion 3b, but may be disposed rearward of the groove portion 3b. 7 illustrates only one side plate 3, but a similar auxiliary groove portion is formed in the other side plate 4. In addition, the number of auxiliary groove portions 3c is not limited to one, and may be two or more.

[0045] By forming the auxiliary groove 3c in this manner, it is possible to change the front-to-rear position of the portable information terminal Tb held by the portable information terminal holding device 1. When the user wishes to use the portable information terminal Tb close to himself, he inserts the portable information terminal Tb into the auxiliary groove 3c, and when the user wishes to use the portable information terminal Tb away from himself, he inserts the portable information terminal Tb into the groove 3b.

[0046] [Modification 2] In the above embodiment, the groove portion 3b is arranged parallel to the front end surface of the side plate 3. However, in this modified example, as shown in FIG. 8, an auxiliary groove portion 3d is formed in the side plate 3 at a different angle from the groove portion 3b. That is, the side plate 3 is formed with a groove 3b parallel to the front end surface of the side plate 3, and an auxiliary groove 3d intersecting with the groove 3b. Auxiliary groove 3d is a machined groove similar to groove 3b, with its lower end positioned forward of the lower end of groove 3b and its upper end positioned rearward of the upper end of groove 3b. In other words, auxiliary groove 3d is inclined backward, and groove 3b and auxiliary groove 3d are integrated at the intersection. However, this is not limiting, and the auxiliary groove 3d may be inclined forward (inclined at an angle that becomes vertical when the side plate 3 is in contact with the ground), and may not intersect with the groove 3b.

[0047] By forming the auxiliary groove 3d in this manner, it is possible to change the angle of the portable information terminal Tb held by the portable information terminal holding device 1. When the user wants to use the portable information terminal Tb at a greater angle than when inserted into the groove 3b, the portable information terminal Tb is inserted into the auxiliary groove 3d.

[0048] [Modification 3] In the above embodiment, the groove 3b is a processed groove formed by digging a groove with a power tool such as a router, but the groove 3e in this modification is formed as a groove type as a single member. In other words, the groove 3e in this modification is formed separately from the side plate 3 and attached to the inner surface of the side plate 3. The groove 3e, which is such a groove-shaped member, is fixed to the side plate 3 with a screw or the like. In other words, the groove 3e is removable from the side plate 3. Therefore, the groove 3e is replaceable. If the groove 3e is replaceable, for example, when the mobile information terminal Tb is replaced and the thickness of the side end portion of the mobile information terminal Tb is changed, the groove 3e can be replaced with a groove of a size that matches the thickness.

[0049] [Modification 4] 10 and 11 includes a back plate 12, a pair of side plates 13 and 14, a top plate 15, and a support plate 16, and has the same functions as the mobile information terminal holding device 1 in the above embodiment. However, the mobile information terminal holding device 11 of this modification is used when the mobile information terminal Tb is used in a landscape orientation.

[0050] The back plate 12 is a rectangular (oblong) plate material, and in this modified example, is formed to be longer in the left-right direction than in the up-down direction. Furthermore, since the mobile information terminal Tb is held in the mobile information terminal holding device 11 in a landscape orientation, the connection port to which the terminal of the cable C is connected is located on the left or right side. Therefore, when the mobile information terminal holding device 11 is unfolded and placed on the top surface of the stand, a gap through which the cable C can pass does not need to be formed between the lower end of the back plate 12 and the top surface of the stand. In this modification, the lower end of the back plate 12 (the rear corner at the lower end) is close to or in contact with the top surface of the stand.

[0051] The pair of side plates 13, 14 comprises a first side plate 13 located on the left side and a second side plate 14 located on the right side, and a portable information terminal Tb can be sandwiched between the first side plate 13 and the second side plate 14 on the left and right. The pair of side plates 13, 14 have protrusions 13a, 14a and grooves 13b, 14b, respectively. At least one of the pair of side plates 13, 14 has a through hole for passing the cable C. In this modification, the through hole 14c is formed only in the second side plate 14 on the right side, but a through hole may also be formed in the first side plate 13 on the left side.

[0052] The top plate 15 is a rectangular plate material, and its length in the front-to-rear direction is set to be approximately equal to the length of the upper ends of the pair of side plates 13, 14 in the front-to-rear direction, and its length in the left-to-right direction is set to be approximately equal to the length of the back plate 12 in the left-to-right direction. In addition, a pair of fitting grooves 15a, 15b into which the protrusions 13a, 14a provided on the upper ends of the pair of side plates 13, 14 are fitted are formed on the lower surface.

[0053] The support plate 16 is a support for preventing the mobile information terminal holding device 11, which is tilted backward, from falling backward, and is formed in a substantially trapezoidal shape, with its lower end surface functioning as a contact surface together with the lower end surfaces of the pair of side plates 3, 4.

[0054] Such a portable information terminal holder 11 has a horizontally long back plate 12, and a pair of side plates 13, 14, a top plate 15, and a support plate 16 are foldably attached to the back plate 12, so that the portable information terminal holder 11 is suitable for holding a portable information terminal Tb used in a horizontal orientation. The through hole 14c formed in the side plate 14 also makes it possible to hold the portable information terminal Tb with the terminal of the cable C inserted into the connector of the portable information terminal Tb.

[0055] [Modification 5] 12 includes a back plate 22, a pair of side plates 24, and a top plate 25, but does not include a support plate. The mobile information terminal holding device 21 of this modification has the same functions as the mobile information terminal holding device 1 of the above embodiment, except for the function of the support plate (support plate 6).

[0056] The pair of side panels 24 in this modified example comprises a first side panel (not shown) located on the left side and a second side panel 24 located on the right side, and a portable information terminal Tb can be sandwiched between the left and right first side panels and second side panels 24. Each of the pair of side plates 24 has a protrusion 24a and a groove 24b.

[0057] Furthermore, the pair of side plates 24 have lower front corners formed by the lower end faces and the front end faces that are acute angles in side view, the front end faces are inclined rearward, and further have lower rear corners formed by the lower end faces and the rear end faces that are right angles in side view, and the rear end faces extend vertically upward. Moreover, the pair of side plates 24 have upper front corners formed by the upper end faces and the front end faces that are formed at right angles in side view. On the other hand, the upper rear corners formed by the upper end faces and the rear end faces are formed at obtuse angles in side view. That is, the upper end faces are inclined downward from the front to the rear. However, this is not limited to this, and the upper end faces may be horizontal like the lower end faces. In that case, the pair of side plates 24 are formed in a trapezoidal shape in side view. When the pair of side plates 24 are formed in this manner, the front end faces of the pair of side plates 24 are inclined backward, but the rear end faces of the pair of side plates 24 are vertical, so that the mobile information terminal holding device 21 itself will not fall backward even if it is not equipped with a support plate.

[0058] The bottom surface of the top plate 25 is formed with a pair of fitting grooves 25b (the left fitting groove is not shown) into which the protrusions 24a provided on the upper ends of the pair of side plates 24 are fitted.

[0059] Moreover, the top plate 25 is foldably attached to the upper end of the back plate 22. More specifically, the upper end surface of the back plate 22 and the rear end surface of the top plate 25 are rotatably connected by a hinge H. Therefore, when the top plate 25 is in the folded state, the back plate 22 and the top plate 25 are arranged in a straight line in a side view. Since the top plate 25 is attached to the upper end of the back plate 22 in this manner, when the pair of side plates 24 are folded, the upper ends of the pair of side plates 24 and the top plate 25 overlap each other. In other words, if the upper front corners of the pair of side plates 24 formed by the upper end faces and the front end faces are formed at right angles in a side view, when folded, the upper front corners will protrude above the upper end face of the back plate 22. In this case, if the top plate 25 is attached to the front surface of the upper end of the back plate 22, the upper ends of the pair of side plates 24 and the top plate 25 will collide when folded. However, if the upper end face of the back plate 22 and the rear end face of the top plate 25 are rotatably connected by the hinge H, the upper ends of the pair of side plates 24 and the top plate 25 will overlap, making it easier to fold the entire mobile information terminal holding device 21.

[0060] [Modification 6] The mobile information terminal holding device 31 shown in FIG. 13 includes a back panel 32, a pair of side panels 33, 34, a top panel (not shown), and a support panel (not shown), and has the same functions as the mobile information terminal holding device 1 in the above embodiment.

[0061] The pair of side plates 33, 34 in this modified example comprises a first side plate 33 located on the left side and a second side plate 34 located on the right side, and the mobile information terminal Tb can be sandwiched between the first side plate 33 and the second side plate 34 on the left and right. The pair of side plates 33, 34 respectively have protrusions 33a, 34a and grooves 33b, 34b.

[0062] The first side plate 33 has a rear end attached to the left end of the back plate 32 by a hinge H so as to be freely foldable. The second side plate 34 has a rear end attached to the right end of the back plate 32 by a hinge H so as to be freely foldable. More specifically, the rear end surface of the first side plate 33 and the front surface of the left end portion of the back plate 32 are rotatably connected by a hinge H. Also, the rear end surface of the second side plate 34 and the front surface of the right end portion of the back plate 32 are rotatably connected by a hinge H. Furthermore, the width dimension of the first side plate 33 (front-rear direction when unfolded, and left-right direction when folded) and the width dimension of the second side plate 34 (front-rear direction when unfolded, and left-right direction when folded) are set to such an extent that they do not come into contact with each other when folded. In other words, a small gap is formed between the first side plate 33 and the second side plate 34 when folded, so that they do not come into contact with each other when the first side plate 33 and the second side plate 34 are axially rotated by the hinge H. In other words, the pair of side plates 33, 34 of this modified example rotate and move like a double door.

[0063] According to this modified example, both of the pair of side panels 33, 34 can be overlapped on the front surface of the back panel 32, so that when folded, the thickness of the mobile information terminal holding device 31 can be reduced and the pair of side panels 33, 34 do not protrude outward beyond both side ends of the back panel 32, allowing the device to be folded compactly.

[0064] [Modification 7] The mobile information terminal holding device 41 shown in FIG. 14 includes a back panel 42, a pair of side panels 43, 44, a top panel (not shown), and a support panel (not shown), and has the same functions as the mobile information terminal holding device 1 in the above embodiment.

[0065] The pair of side plates 43, 44 in this modified example comprises a first side plate 43 located on the left side and a second side plate 44 located on the right side, and the mobile information terminal Tb can be sandwiched between the left and right first side plate 43 and second side plate 44. The pair of side plates 43, 44 respectively have protrusions 43a, 44a and grooves 43b, 44b.

[0066] The back plate 42 has a protruding portion 42a provided on the left end portion of the back plate 42. The protruding portion 42a is formed long in the up-down direction, and the up-down dimension of the protruding portion 42a is set equal to the up-down dimension of the first side plate 43. The thickness of the protruding portion 42a is also set equal to that of the first side plate 43. The first side plate 43 is foldably attached to the protruding portion 42a fixed to the left end portion of the back plate 42. More specifically, the right side surface of the rear end face of the first side plate 43 and the right side surface of the protruding portion 42a are rotatably connected by a hinge H. This allows the first side plate 43 to be folded with a gap of the length of the protruding portion 42a from the front surface of the back plate 42. On the other hand, the rear end of the second side panel 44 is foldably attached to the right end of the back panel 32 by a hinge H. Therefore, the second side panel 44 can be overlapped on the front surface of the back panel 42 when folded. The protruding dimension of the protruding portion 42 a is set to be slightly longer than the thickness dimension of the second side plate 44 .

[0067] With the pair of side plates 43, 44 configured as above, when folding the mobile information terminal holding device 41, the first side plate 43 can be folded over in front of the second side plate 44. This allows the pair of side plates 43, 44 to be folded compactly without protruding outward beyond both side ends of the back plate 42 when the mobile information terminal holding device 41 is in the folded state.

[0068] [Variation 8] A mobile information terminal holding device 51 shown in FIG. 15 includes a back plate 52, a pair of side plates 54, a top plate 55, and a support plate 56, and has the same functions as the mobile information terminal holding device 1 in the above embodiment.

[0069] The pair of side panels 54 in this modified example includes a first side panel (not shown) located on the left side and a second side panel 54 located on the right side, and the portable information terminal Tb can be sandwiched between the left and right first and second side panels 54. Each of the pair of side plates 54 has a protrusion 54a and a groove 54b.

[0070] The bottom surface of the top plate 55 is formed with a pair of fitting grooves 55b (the left fitting groove is not shown) into which the protrusions 54a provided on the upper ends of the pair of side plates 54 are fitted. The left-right dimension of the top plate 55 is set to be equal to the left-right dimension of the back plate 52. In addition, the front-rear dimension (vertical dimension) of the top plate 55 is set to be shorter than the vertical dimension of the back plate 52. Moreover, the top plate 55 is foldably attached to the upper end portion of the back plate 52. To explain in more detail, the upper end portion of the back plate 52 and the rear end portion of the top plate 55 are rotatably connected by a connecting portion 57 which is a rotation connecting means.

[0071] As shown in Figures 15 to 18, the connecting portion 57 has through holes formed along its length (left-right direction) at both its upper end (front end) and lower end (rear end), and the rotating shaft 57a is inserted into these through holes. The rotation shaft 57a inserted through the upper and lower through holes is formed to be longer than the connecting portion 57, and protrudes to the left and right from both ends of the connecting portion 57 in the longitudinal direction. The vertical dimension (front-rear dimension) of this connecting portion 57 is set to be approximately equal to the thickness dimension of the overlapping portion of back plate 52 and top plate 55, which are formed to the same thickness.

[0072] The upper end of the back plate 52 is formed in a concave shape. That is, a notch 520 is formed in the upper end of the back plate 52, and both sides of the notch 520 are protruding parts 521 that protrude upward. A through hole through which the above-mentioned rotating shaft 57a is inserted is formed in the protruding parts 521 on both sides. The lower end of the connecting portion 57 is inserted into the notch 520 so as to be disposed between the protruding portions 521 on both sides. Then, the rotating shaft 57a is passed from the through hole of one of the protruding portions 521 through the through hole of the lower end of the connecting portion 57, and further through the through hole of the other protruding portion 521 and is prevented from coming off.

[0073] The rear end (lower end) of the top plate 55 is also formed in a concave shape like the upper end of the back plate 52, and has a notch 550 and protruding parts 551 on both sides. The protruding parts 551 on both sides have through holes formed therein through which the above-mentioned rotating shaft 57a is inserted. The upper end of the connecting portion 57 is inserted into the notch 550 so as to be disposed between the protruding portions 551 on both sides. Then, the rotating shaft 57a is passed from the through hole of one of the protruding portions 551 through the through hole of the upper end of the connecting portion 57, and further through the through hole of the other protruding portion 551 and is prevented from coming off.

[0074] When the back panel 52 and the top panel 55 are rotatably connected by the two-axis connecting portion 57 as described above, the top panel 55 can be rotated within a range from the position where the upper ends of the pair of side panels 54 are connected to each other to the point where the top panel 55 comes into exact contact with the rear surface of the back panel 52. This allows the top panel 55 to be folded compactly without protruding beyond the peripheral portion of the back panel 52 when the mobile information terminal holding device 51 is in the folded state.

[0075] The support plate 56 is rotatably connected to the lower end of the rear surface of the back plate 52 by a hinge H, and is folded so as to be superimposed on the rear surface of the back plate 52 in the folded state. The upper end surface of the support plate 56 is inclined so as not to come into contact with the lower end portion of the top plate 55 which is folded and overlapped on the rear surface of the back plate 52 .

[0076] Furthermore, if such a pivoting connection structure between back panel 52 and top panel 55 using connecting part 57 and support plate 56 are combined with the folding-door type mobile information terminal holding device 31 in the above-mentioned variant example 6 (Figure 13), the overall thickness can be kept to the equivalent of three layers, and since none of the panels other than back panel 52 protrude vertically or horizontally, it can be folded up extremely compactly. Moreover, if such a pivotal connection structure between the back panel 52 and the top panel 55 by the connection part 57 and the support panel 56 are combined with the mobile information terminal holding device 41 in the above-mentioned modified example 7 (FIG. 14), the overall thickness can be kept to four layers, and the panels other than the back panel 52 do not protrude vertically or horizontally. Moreover, the length of the pair of side panels 43, 44 in the front-to-rear direction when unfolded can be increased.

[0077] [Modification 9] A mobile information terminal holding device 61 shown in FIG. 19 includes a back plate 62, a pair of side plates 64, a top plate 65, and a support plate 66, and has the same functions as the mobile information terminal holding device 1 in the above embodiment.

[0078] The pair of side plates 64 in this modified example comprises a first side plate (not shown) located on the left side and a second side plate 64 located on the right side, and the portable information terminal Tb can be sandwiched between the left and right first side plates and second side plates 64. Each of the pair of side plates 64 has a protrusion 64a and a groove 64b.

[0079] The bottom surface of the top plate 65 is formed with a pair of fitting grooves 65b (the left fitting groove is not shown) into which the protrusions 64a provided on the upper ends of the pair of side plates 64 are fitted. The left-right dimension of the top plate 65 is set to be equal to the left-right dimension of the back plate 62. In addition, the front-rear dimension (vertical dimension) of the top plate 65 is set to be shorter than the vertical dimension of the back plate 62. Moreover, the top plate 65 is foldably attached to the upper end portion of the back plate 62. To explain in more detail, the upper end portion of the back plate 62 and the rear end portion of the top plate 65 are rotatably connected by a connecting portion 67 which is a rotation connecting means.

[0080] The connecting portion 67 is a strip-shaped body that is long in the left-right direction, with its lower edge fixed to the upper end of the rear surface of the back panel 62 and its upper edge fixed to the rear end of the upper surface of the top panel 65. The band may be made of a flexible material such as leather, cloth, packing tape, silicone rubber, or the like. The connecting portion 67 may be fixed to the back plate 62 and the top plate 65 by fasteners such as screws, or may be fixed by adhesive. Of the connecting portion 67, the central portion located between the lower edge fixed to the upper end of the rear surface of the back panel 62 and the upper edge fixed to the rear end of the upper surface of the top panel 65 is not fixed to either the back panel 62 or the top panel 65.

[0081] When the back panel 62 and the top panel 65 are rotatably connected by the connecting part 67 which is a band-shaped body as described above, the top panel 65 can be rotated within a range from the position where the upper ends of the pair of side panels 64 are connected to each other to the point where it comes into exact contact with the rear surface of the back panel 62. This allows the top panel 65 to be folded compactly without protruding beyond the peripheral part of the back panel 62 when the mobile information terminal holding device 61 is in the folded state.

[0082] The support plate 66 is rotatably connected to the lower end of the rear surface of the back plate 62 by a hinge H, and is folded so as to be superimposed on the rear surface of the back plate 62 in the folded state. The upper end surface of the support plate 56 is inclined so as not to come into contact with the lower end of the top plate 65 which is folded and overlapped on the rear surface of the back plate 62 .

[0083] Furthermore, if the pivoting connection structure between the back panel 62 and the top panel 65 using such connecting part 67 and the support panel 66 are combined with the folding mobile information terminal holding device 31 in the above-mentioned variant example 6 (Figure 13), the overall thickness can be reduced to the equivalent of three layers. Furthermore, if such a pivoting connection structure between the back panel 62 and the top panel 65 using the connecting portion 67 and the support plate 66 are combined with the mobile information terminal holding device 41 in the above-mentioned modified example 7 (FIG. 14), the overall thickness can be reduced to the equivalent of four layers.

[0084] [Modification 10] The mobile information terminal holding device 71 shown in FIG. 20 includes a back panel 72, a pair of side panels 73, 74, a top panel (not shown), and a support panel (not shown), and has the same functions as the mobile information terminal holding device 1 in the above embodiment.

[0085] The pair of side plates 73, 74 in this modified example comprises a first side plate 73 located on the left side and a second side plate 74 located on the right side, and a portable information terminal Tb can be sandwiched between the left and right first side plates 73 and second side plates 74.

[0086] The first side plate 73 does not have a protrusion, and the upper end surface is formed flat. Instead of having a protrusion, the first side plate 73 has an upper surface magnet 73a. The first side plate 73 also has a groove 73b. In this modification, a plurality of upper surface magnets 73a are used.

[0087] Although not shown, a metal plate is provided on the underside of the left end of the top plate, which is attracted by the upper surface magnet 73a provided on the upper end surface of the first side plate 73. Note that, although one rectangular metal plate is used as the metal plate in this modified example, multiple metal plates may be used. The metal plate functions as a fixed portion to which the upper end portion of the first side plate 73 is fixed, and is set to have a width dimension (left-right dimension) greater than the thickness dimension of the first side plate 73. This makes it possible to adjust the position of the first side plate 73 along the width direction (left-right direction) of the metal plate. A fitting groove into which a protruding portion 74a provided on the upper end portion of the second side plate 74 is fitted is formed on the undersurface of the right end portion of the top plate.

[0088] The rear end of the first side plate 73 is foldably attached to the left end of the back plate 72. More specifically, the front surface of the left end of the back plate 72 and the right side surface of the rear end of the first side plate 73 are rotatably connected by a connecting portion 77, which is a rotating connecting means. The connecting portion 77 is a strip-shaped body that is long in the vertical direction, with its front edge fixed to the right side of the rear end portion of the first side panel 73 and its rear edge fixed to the front surface of the left end portion of the back panel 72. Of the connecting portion 77, the central portion located between its front edge fixed to the right side of the rear end portion of the first side panel 73 and its rear edge fixed to the front surface of the left end portion of the back panel 72 is not fixed to either the back panel 62 or the first side panel 73.

[0089] Furthermore, the first side plate 73 further has a rear magnet 73c provided on the rear end surface of the first side plate 73. On the other hand, a metal plate 72a to which the rear magnet 73c is attracted is provided on the front surface of the left end portion of the back plate 72. The metal plate 72a is set to have a width dimension (left-right dimension) greater than a thickness dimension of the first side plate 73. This makes it possible to adjust the position of the first side plate 73 along the width direction (left-right direction) of the metal plate 72a.

[0090] The second side plate 74 has a protrusion 74a and a groove 74b. The second side plate 74 is connected to the front surface of the right end portion of the back plate 72 by a hinge H so as to be freely rotatable. Further, on the underside of the right end portion of the top plate, a fitting groove into which the protruding portion 74a of the second side plate 74 is fitted is formed, although this is not shown. Therefore, the second side plate 74 is fixed to the fitting groove of the top plate, similarly to the second side plate 4 of the mobile information terminal holding device 1 in the above embodiment. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the second side plate 74 may also be attached to the back plate 72 in the same manner as the first side plate 73. In other words, the second side plate 74 may be provided with an upper surface magnet and a rear surface magnet, and may be rotatably connected to the back plate 72 by a connecting portion 77 of a band-shaped body.

[0091] According to this modified example, at least one of the first side plate 73 and the second side plate 74 (first side plate 73) is capable of adjusting its position in the left-right direction, making it possible to hold portable information terminals Tb with different width dimensions. Furthermore, when the back panel 72 and the first side panel 73 are rotatably connected by the flexible band-shaped connecting portion 77 as described above, the first side panel 73 can be folded by overlapping it with the front surface of the second side panel 74 that has been folded so as to be overlapped with the front surface of the back panel 72. This allows the pair of side panels 73, 74 to be folded compactly without protruding beyond both side ends of the back panel 72 when the portable information terminal holding device 71 is in the folded state.

[0092] In this modified example, the first side panel 73 is fixed to the top panel and back panel 72 by a combination of a magnet and a metal plate, but this is not limited to this, and for example, a hook-and-loop fastener may be used. That is, since the hook surface and the loop surface of the hook-and-loop fastener can be peeled away, one surface is fixed to the first side panel 73, and the other surface is fixed to the top panel and back panel 72. This makes it possible to adjust the position of the first side panel 73, just like in the case of a combination of a magnet and a metal plate.

[0093] [Modification 11] In the modified example of FIG. 21, a plurality of support plates 600, 601 are attached to the lower end of the rear surface of the back panel 2 so as to be freely foldable. The multiple support plates 600, 601 include a first support plate 600 located on the left side and a second support plate 601 located on the right side. The first support plate 600 and the second support plate 601 have their front ends connected to the lower end of the rear surface of the back plate 200 by hinges H in a state in which they can rotate freely in the left-right direction. More specifically, the hinge H is disposed in a recessed corner formed by the lower end of the rear surface of the back panel 200 and the left side surface of the first support plate 600, and rotatably connects the lower end of the rear surface of the back panel 200 to the front end of the first support plate 600. The hinge H is also disposed in a recessed corner formed by the lower end of the rear surface of the back panel 200 and the right side surface of the second support plate 601, and rotatably connects the lower end of the rear surface of the back panel 200 to the front end of the second support plate 601. According to this modification, since a plurality of support plates 600, 601 are attached to the back plate 200, the installation stability of the portable information terminal holding device can be significantly improved.

[0094] [Modification 12] In the modification of FIG. 22, a support plate 602 is attached to a recess 201a formed in the lower end of the rear surface of the back plate 201 so as to be freely foldable. More specifically, the hinge H is disposed in a corner formed by the rear side surface of the recess 201a and the right side surface of the support plate 602, and rotatably connects the rear side surface of the recess 201a and the front end portion of the support plate 602. The depth of the recess 201a is set to be substantially equal to the thickness of the support plate 602. As a result, in the folded state, the support plate 602 can be embedded in the recess 201a, and the support plate 602 does not take up much space, so the mobile information terminal holding device can be folded compactly.

[0095] [Modification 13] In the modified example of FIG. 23, a plurality of support plates 603, 604 are attached to the lower end surface of the back plate 202 so as to be freely foldable. The multiple support plates 603, 604 include a first support plate 603 located on the left side and a second support plate 604 located on the right side. The first support plate 603 and the second support plate 604 have their front ends (side ends) connected to the lower end of the back plate 202 in a state in which they can rotate freely in the left-right direction by rotation shafts 603a, 604a. More specifically, the rotation shaft 603a is provided across the front end (left end) of the first support plate 603 and the left end of the lower end of the back plate 202. Also, the rotation shaft 604a is provided across the front end (right end) of the second support plate 604 and the right end of the lower end of the back plate 202. This allows the first support plate 603 to rotate horizontally around the rotation shaft 603a, and the second support plate 604 to rotate horizontally around the rotation shaft 604a. Therefore, in the folded state, the support plates 603 and 604 can be aligned with the back plate 202 to be like a single plate, so that the support plates 603 and 604 are not bulky and the mobile information terminal holding device can be folded compactly.

[0096] [Modification 14] In the above embodiment, the pair of side plates 3, 4 have protrusions 3a, 4a at their upper ends, and these protrusions 3a, 4a are configured to be fitted into a pair of mating grooves 5a, 5b in the top plate 5, respectively, but this is not limited to this. For example, the upper ends of the pair of side plates 3, 4 may not have the protrusions 3a, 4a, and the upper ends of the pair of side plates 3, 4 may be directly fitted into the pair of fitting grooves 5a, 5b in the top plate 5. Also, instead of the protrusions 3a, 4a, for example, conical pins or cylindrical dowels may be provided on the upper end surfaces of the pair of side plates 3, 4. In this case, fitting holes into which the pins or dowels are inserted are formed on the underside of the top plate 5. Therefore, when the top plate 5 connects the upper ends of the pair of side plates 3, 4 to each other, the fitting holes formed on the underside of the top plate 5 are made to fit the pins or dowels provided on the upper end surfaces of the pair of side plates 3, 4. [Explanation of symbols]

[0097] Tb Mobile Information Terminal C Cable H Hinge 1. Portable information terminal holding device 2 Back plate 3 First side plate 3a Projection 3b Groove 4 Second side plate 4a Protrusion 4b Groove 5 ceiling 5a First interlocking groove 5b Second interlocking groove 6 Support plate

Claims

1. A portable information terminal holding device for holding a portable information terminal, The back panel and a pair of side panels that are foldably attached to the side ends of the back panel and are spaced apart from each other so that the mobile information terminal can be sandwiched between them from the left and right, with lower end surfaces functioning as a ground surface; A top plate that is foldably attached to an upper end of the back plate and connects the upper ends of the pair of side plates to each other; It is equipped with The lower ends of the pair of side plates protrude downward beyond the lower end of the back plate, a lower end front corner formed by a lower end surface and a front end surface of each of the pair of side plates is formed at an acute angle in a side view, and the front end surface is inclined rearward, a groove into which a side end of the portable information terminal is inserted is provided on an inner surface of each of the pair of side plates on a side where the portable information terminal is sandwiched; the groove portion extends from an upper end portion to a lower end portion of each of the pair of side plates and is disposed parallel to a front end surface of each of the pair of side plates; A portable information terminal holding device, wherein a lower end portion of the groove is located at a height position higher than lower end surfaces of the pair of side plates.

2. a front end surface and a rear end surface of each of the pair of side plates are arranged in parallel, and the pair of side plates are inclined rearward; The portable information terminal holding device according to claim 1, further comprising a support plate which is foldably attached to the lower end of the rear surface of the back panel, the lower end surface of which functions as a ground surface together with the lower end surfaces of the pair of side panels.

3. 3. The portable information terminal holding device according to claim 1, wherein the top plate has fixed portions provided on a lower surface of the top plate and to which upper ends of the pair of side plates are fixed, respectively.

Images